Container and closure therefor



J. D. HELL Zlfififi? CONTAINER AND CLOSURE THEREFOR 1.943 2 sheets sheet 1 Filed Dec. 51,

' ATTORNEY (157: i R! M; J m

CONTAINER AND CLOSURE THEE EFOR Filed Dec. 31, 1945 2 She ets-Shei; 2

- INVENTOR: I Jusf/h 0. /7/'// ATTORNEY Patented July 16, 1 946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER AND CLOSURE THEREFOR Application December 31, 1943, Serial No. 516,413

6 Claims.

This invention relates to containers and closures therefor, and more particularly to containers for eggs, meats and the like, requiring relatively careful handling, frequent inspection of contents, and protection of contents from damage by moisture, and has for its principal object to provide a container and closure that can be securely closed, but readily opened for inspection of contents or other purpose without damage or marring the appearance of the container or the closure retaining devices.

In ordinary practice the cover for containers for eggs and the like protrudes at the ends of the container and in stacking for storage or shipping a container is frequently misplaced so the lower edge of the cover of one container rests on the upper surface of an adjacent container. This causes undue strains throughout the container and frequently jar in shipping knocks the cover loose or weakens the cover lock to the extent that it is not suitable for reuse. In some instances containers formed of fiber board may have the ends of the cover locked to the ends of the container body, but the intermediate portions of the cover and side walls tend to bulge or warp causing excessiv rubbing of the sides and cover of the container in cars or trucks and possible exposure of the container contents adjacent the bulged portions.

Other objects of the present invention are,

therefore, to provide a container and cover there for having no protruding portions: to provide for locking the cover on the inside of the container body; to provide fastening means for holding the center portion of the cover in closing position on the container and for eliminating bulging of the sides of the container; to provide a container inner liner for adding strength to the bottom and ends of said container; to provide members the container for facilitating the retention of the cover end locks in container clos ng position, and support of the ends and center of said cover;

and to provide access to the cover end locks for facilitating release thereof.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred arrangement of. which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherem:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container and cover. constructed in accordance with the present invention, shown in closed condition, portions being broken away to illustrate the inner liner.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewthrough 2 the container and cover substantially on the line 22, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a container showing a cover therefor in spaced relation thereto.

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section through the container on the line 4-4, Fig. 1 particularly illustrating the cover center locking tabs in locking position.

Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section through the cover end locks on the line 5 5, Fig. 1, particularly illustrating the engagement of the container inner liner and the locks.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of container and cover showing an arrangement of the inner liner wherein the inner liner is inverted to strengthen the cover particularly when the contents do not fill the container.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through the container of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a'longitudinal sectional view through a single compartment container showing a modified form of inner liner.

. Fig. 9 is a partial plan view of a cover blank showing a modified form of cover end lock tab.

Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view of a container showing the end lock tabs as formed from the blank of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a partial perspective View of a container cover showing a further modified form of cover end lock tabs.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a container particularly adapted for shipping and storing of eggs and other commodities. The container may be formed of cellular material such as fiber board and the like, but preferably is formed of a double face corrugated board specially treated or processed with a waterproofing material to impart stiff while wet characteristics thereto. The container body preferably includes side walls 2 and 3 and end walls 4 and 5, inwardly folded flaps 6 and 1 being provided on the lower edges of the end walls 4 and 5. Flaps 8 are provided on the lower edges of the side walls 2 and 3 and adapted to be folded inwardly under the flaps 6 and I and secured thereto as by gluing or stapling. The upper ends of the end walls of the container are preferably provided with flanges 9 and I0 which are folded inwardl and downwardly and if desired, are secured to the end walls of the container by suitable fastening means such as glu or staples to form a shoulder H. Side flaps l2 and I3 are preferably provided on the upper edges of the side walls 2 and 3 and adapted to be folded inwardly on fold lines l4, said side flaps may be provided with longitudinally extending slots I5 and H3 intermediate the ends of the container and adjacent the fold lines M, the slots extending from adjacent the center of the container as at I! toward the end wall 4 and are of suitable length to receive tabs IS on the container cover |9 as later described.

The cover I9 is preferably of the same material as the container and of suitable size and shape to fit over and close the container. The cover preferably Consists of an elongated body member 29 having end flanges 2| and 22 foldable downwardly on fold line 23, said cover body member being of such length that the flanges 2| and 22 are insertable into the interior of the container adjacent the end walls 4 and 5.

The sides of the flanges 2| and 22 may be tapered inwardly and said flanges may be provided with cut-out portions 24 to form downwardly extending tabs 25 and 25, said flanges 2| and 22 having fold lines 21 and 23 spaced from the end edges of the cover member and below the upper edge of the cut-out portion 24 to form outer end tabs 29 and 30 adapted for folding outwardly and upwardly into engagement with the face of the flanges 2| and 22 and are preferably secured thereto by a suitable fastening means such as glue or staples to form hooklike members that are interengageable with the shoulders I! formed by the flanges 9 and l for retaining the cover in closed relation to the container. The tabs l8 may be fixed to the side edges 3| of the cover bod member and provided with endwardly projecting tongues 32 formed by slots 33 which terminate approximately at the mid point of said cover, said tabs being folded downwardly on a fold line 34 and adapted for insertion in the elongated slots I and I6 whereby longitudinal movement of the cover moves the tongue 32 under the portion of the side flap which is reinforced by fabric tape 35. The lower rear edge of the tabs l8 are preferably tapered as in 36 to aid in the insertion of said tabs in the slots I5 and I6.

Due to the fact that such containers in the shipping and storage of eggs and like commodities are stacked in tiers and are located in places having relatively high humidity, it is desirable to reinforce the bottom members of the container and also provide supports for the cover members to prevent collapse thereof, as well as provide means for facilitating the retention of the cover in the container closing position. I, therefore, provide a container inner liner3l including a partition member 38 adapted to be inserted transversely in the container and midway between the ends thereof to separate the interior of the container into compartments 39 and 40.

The inner liner preferably is formed of an elongated blank of the same material as the .container and is preferably of the same width as the spacing between the sides 2 and 3 thereof. The blank is preferably folded at a central point as at 4| forming overlying panel members 42 and 43 which are approximately the same height as the ends of the container. Said partition preferably being provided with notches 44 adjacent to side walls 2 and 3 to permit folding of the side flaps l2 and I3 inwardly and allowing the partition to extend upwardly thereby into engagement with the central portion of the cover member. The panel members 42 and 43 are preferabl provided with transverse score lines 45 at approximately the mid points thereof to provide resiliency in the engagement between the partition member and the cover for the container.

Bottom members 46 and 41 are preferably provided on the lower ends of the panels 42 and 43 respectively and are of such length that they extend from the partition to adjacent the end walls 4 and 5 of the container, said bottom members being formed by fold lines 48 and 49 forming hinges permitting the partition to be folded or leaned towards the ends of the container. The bottom members 46 and 4'! are provided with fold lines 50 and 5| adjacent the ends of the container to form upwardly extending panels 52 and 53. The upwardly extending panels 52 and 53 are preferably of such length that they extend to the top of the container walls to provide supports for the ends of the cover and said panels overlie the end walls to provide a double thickness and extra strength at the ends of the container. The panels 52 and 53 may be hinged inwardly on the fold lines 50 and 5! to provide for entrance of the cover end flanges 2| and 22 between said panels and the end walls. The panels 52 and 53 thereby engage the inner surface of the flanges 2| and 22 and aid in holding the tabs thereon in engagement with the shoulders I formed b the flanges 9 and ID on the end walls of the container. This is particularly true where eggs and other commodities are placed in the container and said commodities tend to force the panels 52 and 53 toward the end Walls of the container.

In order to facilitate handling of the container and commodities therein, hand holds 54 and 55 may be placed in the ends of the container and if desired, hand holds 55 and 5'! may be placed in the panels 52 and 53, said hand hold being in registry and below the cut-out portion of the cover end flanges 2| and 22 so there is no interference or wear of the locking flanges on the cover and container from use of the hand holds. If desired, the upper edges of the hand holds may be reinforced b a fabric tape 58 and 59. secured to the outer surface of the end walls 4 and 5 and the inner surface of the panels 52 and 53. The lock tabs on the cover flanges 2| and 22 as shown in Fig. 3 are located adjacent the corners thereof and may be tapered awa from the exact corners, said tabs being shortened by the cut-out portions 24 in the flanges 2| and 22 to provide easier operation and are more exact in the fastening operation than if carried across the end of the box.

The cover end locking tabs may be released from engagement with the shoulders formed by the flanges 9 and II! on the end walls of the container by inserting a suitable instrument or fingers into the container between the cover flanges 2| and 22 and the end wall flanges 9 and Ill, suitable pressure being applied to separate said cover and container flanges to release the engagement of the locking tabs with said container flanges. The end of the cover then may be raised from the container. In some instances it may be desirable to provide additional facilities for releasing the cover from the container. In such instances the end walls 4 and 5 may be provided with openings 60 and 6| on each side of the hand holds 54 and 55 and spaced downwardly from the upper edge of the end walls 4 and 5 whereby said openings 60 and 6| provide access to the lower portions of the tabs on the cover flaps 9 and I0 and the handlers or other persons may place a finger in the openings 60 and GI and press inwardly on said flaps 9 and l9 to release the locking tabs from engagement with the shoulders II to permit lifting of the ends of the cover.

In using a container constructed as described, the side flaps l2 and I3 are bent outwardly and the inner liner placed in the container with the panels 52 and 53 adjacent the end walls 4 and 5 respectively. The container may then be packed with eggs or other commodities. Side flaps l2 and I3 are then folded inwardly and the cover applied by bending the tabs l8 downwardly and inserting said tabs in the slots l5 and H5 in the side flaps l2 and I3. The cover is then moved longitudinally of the container to engage the tongues 32 under the reinforced portion of the side flaps l2 and I3 and the ends of the cover raised upwardly to permit flap 2! to be bent downwardly and inserted between the end walls 4 and the panel 52 for engagement between the locking tabs and the shoulder II. The opposite end of the cover is then lifted and the end flange 22 bent downwardly and inserted between the panel 53 and the end wall 5 to engage the locking tabs with the shoulder ll formed by the flange Hi. The container may then be lifted by grasping the hand holds 54 and 55 for movement to a suitable place for stacking as in storage or shipping.

When the box is to be opened, the end locks may then be released by insertinga finger or suitable member into the containe between the flanges 9 and 2!, for example, and applying suitable pressure to release the engagement between the tabs 30 and the shoulder l I or the finger may be inserted in the openings =60 and GI for pressure inwardly on the cover end flanges 2| and 22 to release engagement between the locking tabs and the shoulder II on the end wall flanges of the container. The ends of the cover may then be lifted upwardly and the flanges folded outwardly. By longitudinal movement of the cover, the tongues 32 may be released from engagement with side flaps l2 and I3 and the cover raised to withdraw the tabs it from the slots l5 and Hi to provide access to the container and the contents therein.

A modified form of container and cover is shown in Figs. 6 and '7 wherein the container 65 is provided with a cover 66 having straight side edges 61, the ends of said cover provided with flanges 68 having tabs 69 adapted to engage the lower edges of flanges 10 on the inside of the end walls ll of the container for locking the ends of said cover thereto. The center of the cover between the ends thereof may be secured to the container by a strip or strips of tape 12 extending over the upper edges of the container. This form of fastening for the cover is particularly adapted in uses of the container where it is not desirable to inspect the contents thereof.

In many instances it is desirable to support and strengthen the cover and provide means for holding the locking tabs 69 in engagement with the flanges Ml, particularly when the contents do not fill the container. In such instances the inne liner '53 may be inverted so the mid rib 14 separates the container in compartments I5 and 16. In the inverted condition the outwardly extendin members 71 and 18 on the mid rib underlie the cover 66 and the end panels 19 and 8|! of said inner liner overlie the end walls H and extend to the bottom of the container. This structure provides double thickness at the end walls and top of the container to furnish extra strength for withstanding stress in stacking the containers and the inner liner provides outward pressure on the cover flanges 68 to maintain the locking tabs thereon in looking engagement with the clusive.

The form of container shown in Fig. 8 is of the single compartment type for example a fifteen dozen egg case, the bottom end walls being strengthened by an inner liner 8| having a bottom member 82 of substantially the same length as the bottom 83 of the container 84. The ends of the bottom member may be provided with upwardly extending panels 85 and 86 overlying the end walls 87 and 88, said panels extending substantially to the cover 89 to support the ends of same and maintain the locking tabs 90 on said cover in locking engagement with the flanges 9| on the inside of the end walls 81 and 88.

The locking tabs on the cover may be formed as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 by providing the flanges 92 with slots 93 extending inwardly from the sides of the flanges 92 approximately one fourth the Width of said cover. The flanges are provided with score lines 94 adjacent the inner ends of the slots forming tabs 95 which may be folded outwardly to overlie the portion 96 of the flanges between said tabs, and secured to said portion 95 by gluing or stapling to provide shoulders 91 adapted to engage the flanges on the container.

' As shown in Fig. 11 the tabs 98 may be formed at the sides of the flanges by cutting said flanges as at 99 and folding said tabs outwardly on fold lines 39, said tabs being secured to the flanges in overlying relation adjacent the sides thereof by gluing or stapling.

From the foregoing it is believed apparent that I have provided a container and cover therefor which may be securely locked together at the ends and in the center with no protruding portions to get knocked loose or weaken the locks for said cover and said locking devices eliminate the side bulge in said container. It is also apparent that the liner and partition structure provides a very rugged container to protect the commodities therein from being crushed as well as supporting the center and ends of the cover and aiding in holding the cover in locking position.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is t 1. In a device of the character described, a container body having bottom, side and end walls, flaps extending inwardly and downwardly on the end walls, a detachable cover for the container body, downwardly extending flaps on the ends of said cover for insertion into the interior of the container body adjacent the ends thereof, said cover flaps having reversely turned tabs forming shoulders engageable with the flaps on the container body end walls for securing the cover on the container body, inwardly extending flaps on the container body side walls, said side wall flaps having slots therein intermediate the ends of the container body, and downwardly extending tongues on the'sides of the cover adjacent the central portion thereof, said tongues having slots for insertion of said tongues in said slots in said side wall flaps for securing the central portion of the cover to the container body.

2. In a device of the character described, a container body having bottom, side and end walls, flaps extending inwardly and downwardly on the end walls, a detachable cover for the container body, downwardly extending flaps on the ends of said cover for insertion into the interior of the container adjacent the ends thereof, said end flaps having a cut-out portion to form down-' wardly extending tabs on said flaps, said tabs being turned outwardly and upwardly for engaging with the flaps on the container end walls for securing the cover onthe container body, inwardly extending flaps on the container side walls, said side wall flap having slots therein intermediate the ends of the container body, downwardly extending tongues having slots at their outer ends on the sides of the'cover adjacent the central portion thereof for insertion in said slots in said side wall flaps for securing the central portion of the cover to the container body, and an inner liner in the container body including panels overlying the container body end walls and having engagement with the cover end flaps for maintaining the tabs on said cover flaps in cover securing engagement with the container body end wall flaps.

3. In a device of the character described, a container body having bottom, side and end walls, flaps extending inwardly and downwardly on the end walls, a detachable cover for the container body, downwardly extending flaps on the ends of said cover for insertion into the interior of the container body adjacent the ends thereof said flaps having a cut-out portion near the center thereof, and means on the cover flaps engageable with the flaps on the container body end walls for securing the cover on the container body, said container body end Walls having openings therein registering with the cut-out portions in said cover end flaps providing access to th cover end flaps for releasing engagement of the means on said cover flaps with the container body end wall flaps.

4. In a device of the character described, a container body having bottom, side and end walls, said end walls having openings therein flaps extending inwardly and downwardly on the end walls, a detachable cover for the container body, downwardly extending flaps on the ends of said cover for insertion into the interior of the container body adjacent the ends thereof, said end flaps having a cut-out portion forming tabs at the outer ends thereof and reversely turned portions engaging with the flaps on the container end walls for securing the cover on the container body, said cut-out portions registering with the openings in said end walls of the container and an inner liner in the container body including panels overlying the container body end walls and having engagement with the cover end flaps for maintaining the reversely turned portion on said cover flaps in cover securing engagement with the container body end wall flaps.

5. In a device of the-character described, a container body having bottom, side and end walls, flaps extending inwardly and downwardly on the side and end walls, said side wall flaps having slots intermediate their ends, a detachable cover for the container body, downwardly extending flaps on the ends of said cover for insertion into the interior of th container body adjacent the ends thereof, said cover flap having reversely turned tabs forming shoulders engageable with the fia'ps on the container body end walls for securing the cover on the container body, downwardly extending tongues on the sides of the cover adjacent the central portion thereof, said tongues having slots at their outer ends for insertion in said slots in said side wall flaps for securing the center of the cover to the container body, and an inner liner in the container body including panels overlying the container body end walls and having engagement with the cover end flaps for maintaining the tabs on said cover flaps in cover securing engagement with the container body end wall flaps.

6. In a device of the character described, a container body having bottom, side and end walls, the lower edges of said end walls having inwardly extending flaps extending to substantially midway of the container bottom, a detachable cover for the container body, downwardly extending flaps on the ends of said cover for insertion into the interior of the container body-adjacent the ends thereof, means in the container body engageable with the flaps on the cover for securing the cover on the container body, and an inner liner in the container body including anels overlying the container end walls and having engagement with the cover end flaps for maintaining the cover flaps in cover securing engagement with the means in the container body, said inner liner including a transversely scored central panel member dividing said container into two compartments and providing a resilient support for the central portion of said cover.

JUSTIN D. HILL. 

